7 Tips For Staying Warm On A Winter Camping Trip

Nothing sounds and feels more exciting than sitting, relaxing, and toasting some marshmallows by the campfire on a chilly night and camping amidst the snow-capped mountains. But only if all this was as easy in real life as it is to read! Whether you are an experienced camper or a newbie, surviving in freezing temperatures is not easy at all. However, camping in Australia during winter is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. 

So, we are here with some tips to help you stay warm on a chilly night

Man in blue jacket, hiking in snowy mountains
The right set of clothes is essential to survive the winter camping trip.

Tips For Winter Camping 

1. Choose Your Clothes Carefully 

The right set of clothes is essential to survive the winter camping trip. And trust us when we say that wearing the proper clothing would make your survival in the winter chills easy. Thermal wear, an insulated jacket, beanie, gloves, socks, a hat, and a pair of boots are some of the items that you would need the most during winter. 

The key to staying warm and regulating a comfortable body temperature during winter is to layer up. When camping in winter, you must carry three layers of clothing.

Base Layer

The base layer is the thermal layer that includes wool or synthetic fabric clothes. These clothes tend to sit against your skin and wick away the moisture, leaving you comfortable & dry throughout. 

Middle Layer 

The middle layer is the main insulating layer that retains the body heat, and it keeps you warm while being extremely breathable. This layer usually includes sweaters and jackets made of fleece, other synthetic fabrics, or wool. 

Outer Layer

The outer layer or the shell layer is for the ultimate protection from the elements like rain, wind, and snow. This layer includes wind-resistant jackets and coats that block the wind & water to get into the inner layers. 

Also, keep cotton clothes at home and consider taking extra winter clothes with you. What if you get drenched in the winter rain or slip in the mud, it’s better to prepare beforehand for the elements that can ruin your winter camping trip. 

2. Choose The Right Sleeping Bag 

Snuggling into the sleeping bag will not save you from winter chills if you have some space in there; it means your sleeping bag is not of the right size. 

Sleeping bags come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and temperatures. Choose a sleeping bag in your size with a rating of 10 degrees for camping in winter. Mostly you will find sleeping bags filled with down and with synthetic insulation. Choose one, keeping in mind the pros & cons of both. For extra warmth, try putting a sleeping bag liner in there. 

3. Do Not Sleep In Your Clothes

Make sure you constantly change into dry clean clothes before going to sleep. To stay warm throughout the night, do not wear layers upon layers. In the end, this would make you sweat and feel cold at night. Also, avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes to ensure proper blood flow. 

Consider wearing thermal layer clothes made of synthetic fibre or wool, warm socks, gloves, a beanie and a jacket if needed to stay comfortable & warm. 

4. Pick Your Campsite Wisely

The location where you park your vehicle and set up your tent can make or break your entire camping trip. Especially during winter, finding a suitable campsite is not always easy, and you need to choose mindfully. 

Avoid setting up your tent at the bottom or top of the hills, as these areas tend to remain highly exposed to the winds. Find a position on a clear, flat area that gets direct sunlight and blocks the wind. 

Orange tent camping during sunrise
The location where you set up your tent can make or break your entire camping trip.

5. Take An Awning

Be it sun, wind, rain, or snow, an awning can protect you from every weather condition. Whether you are travelling in your RV or your 4WD, attaching an awning to it is the best decision you can make to protect yourself and your equipment from the weather. 

Not just this, with an awning, it provides you with enough room to store your gear, cook meals, play with your kids, relax and do everything on your winter camping trip that you might have thought would not be possible due to limited space. 

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6. A Hot Water Bottle Will Be Enough To Keep You Warm 

The easiest trick to stay warm on a chilly night is to heat some water, pour it into your hot water bottle and place it inside your sleeping bag. 

However, if you are at the campsite reading this article and wondering what else you can use instead of a traditional hot water bottle, don’t worry. Grab any bottle pour the boiling water into it. Just tighten the bottle cap to avoid any leakage and accident. 

7. Stick Around The Campfire

A campfire is a must-have to stay cosy & warm outdoors on a winter camping trip. Sit, relax by the campfire with your friends & family and enjoy the evening prepping some delicious meals. But, before that, make sure to check the campsite’s rules & regulations before lighting up one. 

Person Holding a Stick on a Wood Burning
A campfire is a must-have to stay cosy & warm outdoors on a winter camping trip.

Conclusion

Once you are well prepared with these tips, you need not fear the freezing temperature on your winter camping trip. 

About Author:           

Danny Smith is CEO and Founder of  Xtend Outdoors Australia, which manufactures and sells caravan annexes, awnings, and accessories. He just loves caravan holidays and frequently blogs about caravanning trips, parks, and tips.

2 Comments

  1. I like this post. Your ideas are useful to make a trip easier. These tips are really helpful for travelers. Thank you so much for sharing these useful ideas here.

    1. alittlebitsocial2 says:

      Thank you for your comment. I appreciate the feedback

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